NATO agrees to extend mission to Afghanistan

Foreign Ministers from NATO and from other nations participating in NATO’s

BRUSSELS, May 20 (KUNA) — Foreign Ministers from NATO and from other nations participating in NATO’s Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan agreed on Friday to sustain the mission beyond 2016.Announcing the decision at a press conference, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said “our military authorities will now address the details of the mission beyond 2016, including in the regions of Afghanistan.” The ministers also reviewed financial support for the Afghan security forces, with total contributions to the Afghan National Army Trust Fund now exceeding USD 1.4 billion,” he said.“I am confident that we will be able to announce at the Warsaw Summit (in July) firm commitments to continue funding the Afghan forces through the year 2020. This is critical for Afghanistan’s ability to build sustainable security forces and ensure Afghanistan’s lasting security,” he added.Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani who participated in today’s meeting expressed his appreciation for NATO Allies and Partners’ continued support to Afghanistan and briefed the Ministers on the Afghan National Unity Government’s continuing reforms to fight corruption, protect human rights and advance the peace process.The United Nations Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan, the Secretary General of the European Union External Action Service and high level officials from Japan and South Korea also attended the meeting.NATO foreign ministers concluded their two-day meeting Friday afternoon after discussing how to boost support to the global anti-IS coalition and help regional countries like Iraq, Jordan and Tunisia in the fight against terrorism, ties with Russia and the situation in Afghanistan.They also signed the NATO Accession Protocol with Montenegro on Thursday. (end) nk.mt